Chapter 481

Adrian rubbed his small chin, his tiny forehead creasing in concentration.

He looked absurdly serious for a four-year-old.

After a moment, he stood on his tiptoes and extended a hand toward Quentin Blackthorn. "Since you're sorry," he declared solemnly, "we can be friends now. Nice to meet you. I'll learn a lot from you."

A faint, unconscious smile tugged at Quentin's usually cold lips. Without realizing it, he bent slightly to meet the child's height.

"Nice to meet you too," he rumbled in that deep, intimidating voice. "I'll learn from you as well."

Though tall for his age, Adrian barely reached Quentin's waist. The contrast between the towering, dangerous man and the tiny boy should have been absurd—yet somehow, it worked.

The entire room, including William Carter, gaped. No one could believe Adrian's fearless confidence. Even more shocking was Quentin's reaction—this was a man who inspired terror, not tenderness.

William clutched his bruised ribs, torn. Should he seize this chance to escape? Or beg Quentin to spare the child?

The man seemed reasonable—certainly more so than the one-eyed brute. But before William could speak, Adrian turned to him.

"You did your job," the boy said cheerfully. "Tell Mom I'm fine. I made a new friend, so I won't be home for a while."

"Kid!" William sputtered. "Do you even understand the situation? This isn't safe! We should be asking him to let you go!"

Adrian waved a dismissive hand. "Mom's used to me disappearing. Just tell her I'll come back when I'm done playing. Bye!"

He took a few steps, then paused. "Oh, and stop hanging out with Cassandra Delacroix. She's hopeless. You? There's still time to change. Thanks for the ride!"

With that, Adrian marched back to Quentin and announced, "Okay. You can take me now."

The SUV was massive, but Adrian scrambled up like a determined little monkey.

No one spoke to Quentin like that and lived. Yet Adrian seemed immune to the man's lethal aura—ordering him around without a hint of fear.

Even more baffling? Quentin didn't react with anger. Instead, he carefully buckled Adrian's seatbelt with surprising gentleness.

"Stay put," Quentin warned as Adrian settled into the passenger seat.

The boy lounged back, utterly relaxed. "Don't bother speeding," he said airily. "Mom's way faster. You guys are slow compared to her."